A Wager in Caldred

By Shaun Kilgore

With the tantalizing hope of finally returning to his beloved homeland in the Vale of Everhold, Fendreg, the wandering warrior of Senagra, undertakes the dubious task of breaking into the storied Mardenite Citadel in the heart of the city of Caldred to retrieve a precious family heirloom—a sword belonging to another man’s father. Though he doubts the man’s sincerity, the possibility is too much to pass up. A few surprises await the Senagran within those walls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Founders House Publishing LLC
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463113042

Shaun Kilgore

Shaun Kilgore is the author of various works of fantasy, science fiction, and a number of nonfiction works. His books appear in both print and ebook editions. He has also published numerous short stories and collections. Shaun is the editor of MYTHIC: A Quarterly Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine. He lives in eastern Illinois.

Book preview

A Wager in Caldred

Shaun Kilgore

Fendreg winced. The cut on his lip burned. The taste of his own blood was like metal. He staggered to his feet despite his blurred vision. For a moment he stood there wobbling, blinking away the confusion. He focused on the man standing across from him, waving at him, taunting him with his smug, smiling face. The jeers of the men gathered about them surged up. Laughter, curses, and the clinking of coins filled the air of the dank tavern. The crowd had grown since the fight broke out and the wagering was carried out in earnest.

Come on, you god-cursed dog, come and meet my fist. I’ll put you to sleep and take your silver besides.

Fendreg eyed his opponent. The man was all thick-shouldered muscle just straining to burst from his grimy shirt. A few bloodstains dotted his chest and blood trickled from his nose. Fendreg had managed a few hits of his own. The pair of them circled each other.

Quit your dancing, lad, shouted a toothless old man who sat perched on one of the tables while he slurped his ale.

Others in the crowd echoed the old man and the jeering grew even louder. Fendreg glanced at the tavern’s owner, standing there near the back of them wringing his hands nervously. He wasn’t particularly happy that a fight was being carried on in his establishment but there was certainly no way to call for help. There was little in the way of law in Caldred. What could be had was bought and paid for so fairness and justice were rare things indeed.

Fendreg shifted to one side and let the other man’s fist sailed past. He kept moving and struck out with his own fist, glancing off the side of the bigger man’s head. He shook off the blow and glared at Fendreg. He was breathing heavily through his nose, his teeth gritted. He cried out and barreled forward and collided with Fendreg.

The crowded cheered.

He struggled with the much stronger man, muscles strained to keep him from being pushed against the nearest onlookers. The man’s breath was all kinds of foulness, a mixture of soured wine and cabbage soup. Fendreg scrunched up his nose.

By the Two Mothers, you stink!

His opponent became livid. I’m going to break you in two, you bloody git.

Fendreg twisted in his grip, using the fool’s momentum against him so that he stumbled straight into the arms of drunks. He shoved them away and they spit at him. When he faced Fendreg, his eyes were nearly red with rage. He was like a bull charging. As he surged towards him, his head lowered slightly. Instead of trying to dodge him, Fendreg bent lower and raised his